Federal health reform is being phased in over a seven year period into 2017. Most provisions will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2014. However, some new protections have already been added to health plans, grant funds are being made available to states, and additional changes are happening on a state and national level. Information about the reforms being made on a state level can be found on this site (Healthreform.mn.gov) and information from federal agencies related to health reform can be found on the federal site (HealthCare.gov).

The changes that apply to each plan depend on the type of policy and whether the plan is considered a grandfathered plan under federal health reform. Insurance companies and employers will be required to let the insured person know if the plan is a grandfathered plan.

The dates these changes take effect can also vary. More detailed information can be found by clicking the links in the paragraphs above to learn more on each specific change.

What is a grandfathered plan?

Under the federal health reform, a grandfathered plan is any group or individual health plan that was in force on or before March 23, 2010. New employees and dependents may be added to a grandfathered plan.

When does the federal health care reform law take effect?

Federal health reform is being phased in over a seven year period into 2017. Most provisions will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2014. However, some new protections have already been added to health plans, grant funds are being made available to states, and additional changes are happening on a state and national level. Information about the reforms being made on a state level can be found on this site (Healthreform.mn.gov) and information from federal agencies related to health reform can be found on the federal site (HealthCare.gov).

The changes that apply to each plan depend on the type of policy and whether the plan is considered a grandfathered plan under federal health reform. Insurance companies and employers will be required to let the insured person know if the plan is a grandfathered plan.

The dates these changes take effect can also vary. More detailed information can be found by clicking the links in the paragraphs above to learn more on each specific change.

Requirements that apply to all Grandfathered Plans: All grandfathered plans must eliminate lifetime benefit limits and allow young adult children to remain eligible for their parents’ plan until age 26. Health insurers are also prohibited from canceling policies due to an unintentional mistake in the application or using waiting periods longer than 90 days.

Requirements that do not apply to any Grandfathered Plan: Grandfathered health plans do not need to comply with other requirements, including the requirement to cover 100 percent of preventive care costs and new options for appealing health plan decisions.

If my plan is a grandfathered plan, will it always stay a grandfathered plan?

Not necessarily. If a plan makes certain changes, it can lose grandfathered status. In order to remain grandfathered, the plan:

No. Minnesotans will not be required to give up their current coverage. Health plans in effect when the federal law was signed on March 23, 2010, can be continued. When the requirement to have health insurance begins in January 2014, health plans that were in effect prior to March 23, 2010 can satisfy the requirement.

My employer offers a self-funded health plan to employees. I know that since my employer is self-funded, they do not have to follow any of the Minnesota insurance laws. Do federal health reform provisions apply to self-funded plans?

Yes. Many provisions of federal health reform that apply to insurance companies also apply to self-funded plans.